Spacesuit Z-2: NASA Wants You To Pick Their Next Design

NASA has a news site up to solicit public opinion on their new spacesuit designs; to to NASA Z-2 Suit to cast your vote. And be sure to compare the latest NASA designs to this 1898 illustration of a space suit (below).

"Trends in Society" is based off of just that: being reflective of what every day clothes may look like in the not too distant future. This suit uses electroluminescent wire and a bright color scheme to mimic the appearance of sportswear and the emerging world of wearable technologies.

The design specifically includes gore pleats with contrast stitching throughout to highlight mobility, an exposed bearing at the hip, and electroluminescent wire and patches of varying styles across both the upper and lower torso.

The earliest reference to the idea of a space suit that I can find is the "air-tight dress" (as in "manner of dress") from Garrett P. Serviss' 1898 story Edison's Conquest of Mars:

While it was the intention to remain as much as possible within the cars, yet since it was probable that necessity would arise for occasionally quitting the interior of the electrical ships, Mr. Edison had provided for this emergency by inventing an air-tight dress constructed somewhat after the manner of a diver's suit, but of much lighter material. Each ship was provided with several of these suits, by wearing which one could venture outside the car even when it was beyond the atmosphere of the earth...
(Read more about Serviss' air-tight suit)